On Community

I use the word community a lot for a person who doesn’t have a great definition for it. It’s more of a feeling in my bones than something I can put into words when called upon to do so. It is one of those education buzzwords that’s often given in job interviews, like differentiation or graphic organizers, “I want to build a community of learners.” Boom. You’re suddenly entrusted with teaching 75 teenagers the importance of democracy. But in my personal life community has come to be what I am constantly seeking.

I have found community in church and I’ve found it at work. I’ve seen community play out in small towns-the coming together in crisis or rallying around the local basketball team. I’ve been host to community over shared love of books, wine, or Jesus depending on the season of my adult life.

I was raised by community. Small and isolated. Community with big hearts for their own but that rarely extended far beyond town limits. I’ve left community and its comforts many times and inevitably experienced a pang of regret.

And with each move I’ve also experienced isolation, at parties where community is present and I am not a part of it. Having been in this new city for only a few months, my community is only starting to form. It could easily be lost as I attempt to build trust and share experiences. I am grateful for it but always hesitant.

Instead my community lives in Mississippi and Virginia. East Africa and Kentucky. Selfishly, I want community in my immediacy-next door for shared days and meals. But then I wouldn’t be able to experience and give love to a global community of people who do amazing work in their own cities, following their passions and extending our collective community by adding more-building a longer table and not a higher fence-as the saying goes.

Whatever community is I hope you find it and hold tightly to it. When you move or they move, through change and growth, differing opinions and seasons of prolonged absence. May you always come back to your community, not expecting too much of each other but loving each other just as hard when you reunite.

The Hubbards are moving....again

I am going to be the new Social Studies teacher at Floyd County High School. Still in Virginia, I starting to doubt that we will ever leave this place. I think at some point on this blog I predicted us ending up in Floyd one day but I don't think either of us thought it would be so soon.


People have asked me if I ever really loved Roanoke and if I will miss it and the answer is "Nah." There were definitely perks of living within walking distance to most things. I very much enjoyed that. And I love our loft in Roanoke, I wish I could pick it up and take it with me because it is the perfect size for us right now. However, we paid a lot of money to be downtown for 2 people who come home and read every night. But, I certainly have been grateful for the people we have met in Roanoke.

We are currently trying to find a place to live in Floyd County. For those of you unfamiliar with Floyd County allow me to paint you a picture: farms, no cell service, one red light (in the county), two-lane roads. Needless to say we are having no luck online so we are going to have to go straight to the horses mouth i.e. stumbling around Floyd hoping someone will feel sorry for us and let us rent their barn or something.


I could not be more excited. As for now, Ike and I are spending the week in Pound and we are leaving the house-hunting to Drew. Just wanted to share the update. Get ready for me to be back to my old ways: taking pictures of birds and gardens. I think I'll revert back just fine.


P.S. when you live in the city you have to improvise for s'mores.

Where do we go from here

Do you ever feel like all of your friends move? Hmm, maybe it's just us and maybe we just feel that way because they all really do. We were lucky enough to get to have dinner with our dear friends whom we hadn't seen in ages this weekend who are preparing to move to Washington. They were the second couple we met in Blacksburg with whom we became very close. The first couple we met now live in Arizona.

Today, we drove back to Blacksburg to spend the day with friends preparing to move to Pennsylvania in the next few months. And have I told you about our friends who blog here who are moving to Kenya in August?

After a while, it's hard not to take it personally. We know that Blacksburg is a transient area but we haven't really made many new friends yet in Roanoke. We still cling to those in Blacksburg because they're so close and because we know our time with them is limited.

In beginning the job application process for me, Drew and I again begin the discussion about where we would be comfortable moving. Do we stay in Virginia? Do we dare venture North or West? The only place we can even fathom south of here would be Asheville but are we ready to settle down yet?

All of these questions in the midst of student teaching, finishing up my research paper to present to a committee, and applying for jobs is draining me. I see the light at the end of the grad school tunnel but what comes after it? I'm really hoping it's a job but most people are quick to tell me that normally in education that isn't the case.

But I'm willing to move, does that count for anything? And Drew is willing to go with me which makes it even better, so where do I apply? I'm open to suggestions. Roanoke and the surrounding counties but I've spoken to them and few of them sounded as if they are expecting tons of openings for the fall.

 I've said it before and I'll say it again, being an adult kinda sucks. Your friends all leave and then you still don't have a job. It's a tough world out there kiddos. I totally understand living in your parents basement and avoiding the fray. It's much less messy.

Lest I sound too depressed there is good news to report: we will have a garden plot with the Roanoke community garden this spring and summer. I can't wait to get some veggies in the ground. Fresh veggies, hiking, and camping are just around the corner. Also who could be stressed with this cutie around?

 

Thankfulness Recently

Seeing that this is the week/month of thanks I suppose a thankfulness post is in order.

I'm thankful for

• Friends who will kill themselves helping us move.

 

 

• A puppy dog who is adjusting to life without a yard.

• Parents who will drive to Roanoke for one day to help unpack and bring a new coffee pot.
• Siblings who love Jesus and spent the weekend together worshipping him.
• Friendly "hellos" in a new city.
• A husband who is on this journey with me every step of the way.

• 7th graders who are full of questions.
• Gas logs.
• The hope of new adventures for friends whose lives are changing rapidly.
• Pictures of these 2 cuties and for the ability to travel home and see them in person this week!

Thank you Jesus for placing us in this city. I am nervous about how it will all shake it out, but there is no doubt that this is where we are supposed to be. Be thankful friends!

Happiest of Mondays to you. Mine started out with a bang when I literally fell into Auburn Middle School this morning. I honestly fell in the front door and landed on hands and knees. I currently have ice on my right knee and my pride is sorely bruised.

We move on Friday and I am way behind on school work but my recent injuries lead me to believe I need relaxation time. So I'm blogging and watching MNF.

Thankfully I got in some quality baby time this weekend and some good friend time this afternoon (which was meant to be a study session but turned into a social hang instead).

Our walls are bare so it kinda sucks to be home because it's depressing and dirty. I should probably be cleaning but that isn't happening either.

If anyone out there needs something to do the remainder of this week and is particularly good at reading strategies or magic erasers come visit. I'll pay you in flower pots and Christmas trees (both of which I need to get rid of before the move). Also, a desk is up for grabs if you're interested.

Or there is a sweet pizza warmer currently in my possession, I could be swayed to give it up if the right offer came along. I'll trade it for 3 barstools or a personal trainer.

Just a glimpse into the thrilling life of a grad student who decided to move in the most hectic week of the semester. Give thanks friends.

 

Also, are there any SOA fans out there? I'm curious to hear your predictions of how this will all end.


There is truly no cohesiveness to this post. Apologies.

Blacksburg: A Love Story

This town has been soo good to us. Drew has been here 6 and 1/2 years and I have been here 2 and 1/2. It will be so hard to leave, even just to go an hour away.

Blacksburg is where:

We adopted our puppy.
We made dear friends.
We discovered we like sushi.
We grew in our faith beyond belief and discovered our callings.
We survived a derecho.
We grew our first garden.
We became environmentalists.


There is so much that we will miss about this beautiful college town that is so filled with life. We've said all along we want to leave Blacksburg while we are still in a love affair with it, that way we always have the option of coming back.

 

The New River Valley has given us so much pride in our Appalachian heritage and the beauty that can be had when progress and heritage come together.

We can only hope that the winds blow us back here one day, it would be an honor to call this place home again.

 

 

Moving On

Past

Well first of all, we've been skunked again. Our poor Ikey still reeks from a skunking incident that happened a week ago tomorrow. It happened the morning of my meeting with my site supervisor at my blocking placement, I repeatedly apologized for the odor.

And worse than that I unknowingly gave my students suckers that both smelled and tasted like skunk on Friday. They had been innocently sitting on my kitchen counter the morning of the incident. However, when they asked me why they tasted/smelled like skunk I told them that the Dollar Tree must not keep their candy very fresh. Yes, I feel guilty. But it was much easier to lie to them knowing I'll never see them again. Friday was my last day in my high school placement.

Present

 I miss those kiddos. I had some sweet kids. I had some kids who were going through tougher situations than any 15 year old should ever have to go through and they made my days brighter. I think of them often and I hope they find their way. They are all so full of strength.

It's too early to tell how I feel about my middle school placement, suffice it to say it will be different. But I'm not yet sure if it's a good or a bad different.

Future

In more life-changing type news: Drew accepted a new position at a company in Salem, VA. We are so excited for him to begin this new job and for this to hopefully be the first step towards us moving where we feel pulled: Roanoke.

I've requested to do my student teaching in Roanoke in the spring and if we can lease our house we could be moving as soon as December. It's been a bit of a whirlwind but it has been an awesome ride. We are so grateful for God's timing and are praying that we can immerse ourselves into the community He has for us.

Also, we are signed up to run the Color Me Rad 5K this weekend with Drew's parents and sister. I'm excited for them to come visit but in the interest of full disclosure, we have done no little training. It should be interesting (read: embarrassing).

 

I hope that fall wherever you are is as beautiful as it is here in the Appalachian mountains.

 

Retired at 24

Our garden has grown into quite the beautiful creature lately. We have had lots o' lettuce and spinach and soon will have tomatoes. We've taken a lot more pains this year and water it and tend to it like real farmers. And I must admit I'm pretty proud when people come over and brag on it.

Where our garden is located now we can see it from our front porch or our patio. So, we can admire it anytime we spend time outdoors. Even when we spend time in our state-of-the-art Olympic size pool like we did yesterday.

He built a fire in 90 degree weather to keep the gnats off of him.

This weekend I've also been working on our guest room, sprucing it up a bit in anticipation of having company soon.

I love our house and it is so nice to have all of this extra indoor and outdoor space. But I can't help but wonder if we've got it backwards. We're only 24 and we aren't ready for a family anytime soon. I think we got this house in the hopes of lots of company which does happen occasionally but not a lot. Everyone is busy, like us and it's hard to get away.

Our lease here ends next year around the time I'll be finishing my Master's and around the time most of our friends will be leaving. So, some big changes are in store for us. Namely: downsizing and relocating.

I do promise to make the most of this place for the next year and I hope to have a place just like it someday to call our own but we aren't there yet. We need to make sure we aren't retired at 24. So if you want to experience life here on Bishop, make plans for the next 10-12 months, I've got your room ready! And these 2 are lots of fun to hang with.

A little swap

I get tired of things in the same place all the time. I mean if you can't switch things up every once in a while, whats the point of living? Am I right?

 

This is what our dining room has looked like for the last year or so, since we moved in:

 

This is the same room as of today:

 

 

A nice new "study" as Drew says. Also, we had to take down our bookshelves because someone didn't hang them properly so our books have a new home also in the study:

 

Now you may be asking yourselves, "Where's the dining room, did you move it upstairs?" No silly people, we did not.

This was the 2012 living room:

It's a long, kinda awkward room. with, count 'em 6 doorways and 2 windows. Yeah. But this, friends, is the 2013 living/dining room:

 

Only this pic was taken before the shelves came down so pretend they're gone.

 

So basically Drew and I added a room onto our house this morning, what have you sorry people done all day?

 

Now we can have 2 spare bedrooms which means more room for company!!! So come see us!

 

Also I'm aware that some may not like the new set up. It may seem a bit cramped to those of you who like to spread out. But please just smile and nod.

 

Thank you. Now I'm going outside to read and enjoy this heavenly sunshine! 

Changes

Change is upon us here in the Moore-Hubbard household. Drew is graduating college in a few short weeks, we are moving into a new place next week, and as if that wasn't enough I've accepted a short term job in Washington D.C. that begins in 4 weeks. We are running around like chickens with our heads cut off. I have been packing up boxes like it's my job (I suppose it sort of is). Drew is finishing up all of his papers and projects (thank God I will never have to hear about that robot again!) and he's also getting into car accidents (okay just one) and making us (at least for a while) a one car household....and by car I mean Drew's truck which I can neither drive nor park so I'm hoping my Cobalt can bounce back. *fingers crossed*

It really is sinful how much stuff we have acquired in less than a year. We are in a one bedroom apartment, where have we been putting all of this stuff? I guess it's true, the more room you have...the more crap you acquire. I have not even begun to pack up our kitchen or bedroom. I'm a little disgusted with myself right now. Why do two people need this much stuff? I suppose the answer is we don't need it but rather we want it.  It never seemed like we had this much until the task of packing it all up fell to me, now I'm ready to take about half of these boxes to Goodwill!

As excited as I am for our new house I am going to miss this place. This was our first place as husband and wife and I still love it. We definitely are not moving for ourselves but rather to have room for company. If this apartment were in Wise County and we never had company we would stay in it for the next 5 years. It has been the perfect first place for us and I will be so sad to leave it.

Also, the mommy in me is freaking out a little bit about how all of this will affect Ike. Yes he is just a dog but that makes it harder. I can't explain to him what is happening and that he will have his own yard. And I know the poor little guy will miss all of his doggy friends here at the apartment. I know I sound like a freak but I hope he adjusts well. I'm also 100% sure he will not like his new shocking collar he will have to wear because we are so close to the road in our new place.

I can't wait to post pictures of the new place and I will give you all and update of my new job soon! I'm excited for the changes but still a little sad.